A Journal of Musical ThingsChristmas Archives

I Helpfully Deconstruct “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” [VIDEO]

December 24th, 2018 | by Alan Cross

Re-posting this video is turning out to be something of a Christmas tradition. Sorry if I ruin it for everyone

Need a little ‘80s in your Christmas? Meet Jon Cohen Ex

December 24th, 2018 | by Amber Healy

Jon Cohen Ex wants to make things a little better. Between the madness of the holidays, the ridiculousness of politics

Britain just had its weirdest Christmas #1 single in years.

December 22nd, 2018 | by Alan Cross

For decades, the British have gone berserk betting on which single would finish at #1 at Christmas. It’s a thing

The lunacy of the British Christmas #1 enters its final phase for 2018

December 18th, 2018 | by Alan Cross

The lunacy is back. The British have been betting on which single will finish at #1 on the charts at Christmas

Christmas Songs That Don’t SUCK

December 8th, 2018 | by Gilles LeBlanc

I swear I’m not a grinch, although I have been accused of being “that guy” who believes Christmas has been

Here’s your first taste of William Shatner’s Christmas album.

September 21st, 2018 | by Alan Cross

William Shatner’s latest music project is a Christmas album. Yes, he’s Jewish, but that doesn’t mean he can’t get into

A Plunderphonics Christmas. Wait–What?

December 25th, 2017 | by Alan Cross

John Oswald, the father of Plunderphonics released this special Christmas construction a few years back. Yes, it’s weird. Thanks to

Forty Years Ago Today, The Sex Pistols Played Their Last UK Gig. It was for Children.

December 25th, 2017 | by Alan Cross

Rewind to December 25, 1977. The Sex Pistols, Britain’s most notorious (and in some quarters, most hated) band, played their

Chris Cornell’s Family Has Posted a Christmas Video

December 24th, 2017 | by Alan Cross

Vicky Cornell, Chris’ widow, has shared this home video featuring her husband and his son talking about Christmas traditions. Sharing

Traditional Christmas Songs in Ways You’ve Never Heard Them Before

December 23rd, 2017 | by Alan Cross

Okay, this is weird. But also weirdly satisfying

Fun with Music Analytics: Christmas Has an Effect on How You Stream Music

December 21st, 2017 | by Alan Cross

Do your levels of music consumption change with the seasons? According to a study by The Economist, the answer is

The Real Story Behind The Pogues “Fairytale of New York”

December 19th, 2017 | by Alan Cross

One of the most beloved modern Christmas songs of all time is "Fairytale of New York" from the Pogues with a guest appearance from the late Kirsty MacColl--even though it's really not about Christmas at all.

The song was born sometime in 1985 when Jem Finer, the Pogues' banjo player, started messing about with an idea. He showed it to singer Shane McGowan who like it but didn't really know what to do with it.

For the next two years, Jem and Shane struggled with the song. Coming up with the lyrics was especially difficult. The original idea was to tell the story of a sailor heading to distant seas, but that didn't work. The song was abandoned.